Brooksville was formed from parts of Castine, Penobscot and Sedgwick and incorporated in 1817. Home of the Holbrook Island Sanctuary nature preserve and blessed with 53 miles of coastline, Brookville attracts many to enjoy boating, kayaking, hiking and other outdoor activities. The town has had many lives and shows remnants of previous occupations practiced along her shores. Fishing, copper mining on Cape Rosier, a granite quarry, saw mill and gristmill operations, and ice storage and shipping have faded away. For many years, steamboats arrived at the wharf in Harborside, bringing families to spend the summer here. A number of establishments still cater to the summer vacation set. Hiram Blake Camp, Oakland House and others evoke the early 20th century hospitality shown to Maine’s “rusticators.”

Farming is experiencing a renaissance in Brooksville, with more than 20 active farms, along with bakeries, dairies and a winery. A farmers’ market is held in summer.